240 by James Morton on 11/22/01 at 1:23 PM
Re: preparing the canvas

In Reply to: preparing the canvas posted by Tew on 11/11/01 at 11:49 PM:

: Does anyone know where to purchase prestretched canvas which has already been prepared with the ultra smooth surface as shown on the Old Master's Technique video?
: Thanks,
: Tew

You might try buying the smooth, fine threaded, densely woven canvas sold by Utrect, for instance, or you might wish to apply the priming as was done by the old masters using a priming knife with a rounded blade. To make a priming knife take a wide putty knife (16 inches or greater in width) as sold in the hardware stores and file away the corners until they are gently rounded. Apply your priming with a brush at first and when the canvas is covered, go over the canvas with this priming knife to force the priming into the gaps between the threads. Repeat this process after the first coat has dried if necessary to obtain the degree of smoothness you desire. Unlike modern makers of canvas, the old painters were zealous to obliterate the canvas texture by filling in the weave as quickly as possible. Evidently they did not value the beautifil texture of the cloth as we do today.